AAA: Gas prices drop but remain high in Hampton Roads, new transportation bill may be cause

July 31, 2013|By Austin Bogues, abogues@dailypress.com | 247-4536

Gas prices have dipped slightly in Hampton Roads, falling by an average of three cents per gallon in the past week.

But Hampton Roads motorists are paying slightly more than other drivers around the state. The average price of a gallon of unleaded fuel in Hampton Roads is $3.55 compared to $3.47 statewide. The national average for a gallon of gas is $3.62.

Georjeane Blumling, a spokeswoman for AAA Tidewater Virginia, said the relatively higher Hampton Roads prices are the first indicators that the new transportation legislation signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell is possibly driving up the cost of gas. "It's been happening since July 1," Blumling said. "There's the extra 2.1 percent tax in our area, and we think that's what's caused the change."

Still, motorists will likely see some relief at the pump this week, Blumling said.

"The recent decline in prices offers a small but welcomed relief ahead of August vacations," she added.

AAA said in its news release that motorists are paying 10 cents less for gas than they were in 2011 and 20 cents less than the all-time record set for this week of $3.83 in 2008.

AAA projects gas prices will slowly go up for the rest of the summer because of an increase in demand for gasoline, the high cost of crude oil and the looming threat of hurricane season disrupting Gulf Coast oil refineries.

AAA noted that crude oil prices have dropped somewhat from the high this year of $108.05 per barrel recorded on July 19. But the auto club said continued unrest in the Middle East, including Egypt and Libya continue to affect the world market.